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I didnt think Pasta Man would talk to me.
WearingRay-Ban Meta glassesand recording a video, I was an onlooker.
Clearly this town wants to be photographed
Pasta Man had other plans.
He talked to me; of course he did.
Blocks from Times Square, making cheesy pasta at a food stall - he knows hell be on videos.
Clearly this town wants to be photographed
Mostly, I listen to music.
The speakers stay relatively undetectable except in the most stern surroundings.
In my talkative office, co-workers couldnt tell if I was listening to music.
This is just what faces look like now, accept it
Wearing a creepy camera on my face
Then, of course, there is the camera.
It is creepy to wear a camera on your face.
I feel that creepiness.
With the smart glasses, I took the shot.
When I take a photo or record a video, a light turns on.
Its bright enough that others can see it.
The Ray-Bans look like they have two camera lenses, but actually, the right side is a light.
With that in mind, I decided to shoot freely.
I took photos of whatever I liked.
I work near Times Square, one of the most heavily photographed locations in the world.
A strange thing happened.
They saw me and they smiled, or kept about their business.
The light is very self-explanatory.
Cheese Wheel Pasta is made to be on camera
Then I found Pasta Man.
One of the food stalls makes pasta: Cheese Wheel Pasta.
They blow torch a gigantic wheel of grana padano cheese.
Pour on vodka that is set ablaze.
Swirl it around until a cheesy sauce melds.
Toss in fettuccine and swirl it until it is coated.
They do this in a red food stall in the middle of NYC.
The theater of it is the entire point.
When I started recording, my light came on.
I thought Id watch Pasta Man cook pasta.
Pasta Man squared his shoulders.
He spoke to me confidently: How are you?
In New York City!?
We dont just … GREET people here!
We need to be camera ready all the time now
Ever been caught on camera unexpectedly?
Its hard not to stammer, or sound awkward if you dont practice.
He knows just what to say.
Would you like some?
Hes talking through me, to my audience.
I worried about feeling embarrassed.
I worried about being intrusive.
I had it wrong.
Smart glasses photography is participatory.
You arent taking the photo, you are part of the photo.
The good news is that people are ready.
Weve all seen this coming.
If you do anything interesting, people record you.
We are more ready for this moment than I imagined.
Soon, everyone will wear a camera on their face everywhere.
Were used to it.
I can use my hands and be part of the scene in ways never possible before.
I thought smart glasses would change the way I record.
They may also change the way we feel about being recorded.
